NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 (Senate - June 19, 1997)

[EXCERPT]

Mr. THURMOND...

Finally, the committee [Senate Armed Services] sought to accelerate the development and deployment of theater missile defense systems and to provide adequate funding for a national missile defense system to preserve the option to deploy such a system in fiscal year 2003. This bill also supports expeditious deployment of land and sea-based theater missile defense systems to protect United States and allied forces against the growing threat of cruise and ballistic missiles...